What is a metered-dose inhaler?

A metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is a hand-held device that releases a mist of medicine. Metered dose inhalers contain a gas that helps the medicine get into your child’s lungs. Inhalers help send the medicine directly to your child’s lungs as he takes a deep breath.

A device called a spacer can be used with the inhaler. A spacer is a special bag or plastic tube that is attached to the inhaler. Spacers help when it is hard to press the inhaler at the same time that your child breathes in the medicine. The spacer holds medicine in the bag or tube and:

Helps your child to breathe at his own pace

Helps more medicine to reach your child’s lungs

Keeps medicine from just going into the air

Spacers can be used with or without a mask. Some spacers are made for just one type of inhaler.

Several kinds of medicines are available as metered-dose inhalers, including:

Quick-relief medicines, also called reliever, or rescue medicines. These medicines are used as needed to treat asthma attacks. They are one kind of bronchodilator. Bronchodilators are medicines that make breathing easier.

Long-term control medicines, also called controller medicines. By taking this medicine regularly every day, it helps to control your child’s symptoms. They do not provide quick relief of wheezing in acute asthma attacks. These are also called bronchodilators.

Steroid medicines, also called asthma controller medicines, because by taking them regularly every day, they help to control your child’s symptoms. They block some of the chemicals that cause irritation and swelling in your child’s body. By lessening the swelling, your child will have fewer symptoms and be able to breathe better.

When a child is using more than one type of inhaler, he will usually use the bronchodilator first.

How should my child use the inhaler?

There are several ways to use inhalers. Talk with your provider or pharmacist about this.

Shake the inhaler well.

If the inhaler has not been used before or if it has been more than two weeks since your child last used it, you must then “prime” the inhaler. Do this by spraying 2 or 3 sprays of the medicine into the air. Each time your child uses the inhaler, the next dose is drawn into a chamber inside the inhaler. If the inhaler has not been used or sits for a long time without being used, some of the medicine leaks out. This means your child will not get the full dose of medicine the next time it is used. Priming the inhaler makes sure that your child gets the full dose of the medicine.

Hold the inhaler upright so the mouthpiece is at the bottom.

Have your child breathe out fully.

For many inhalers the best way to get the medicine into the lungs is to hold the mouthpiece 1 to 2 inches (about 2 to 3 finger widths) in front of an open mouth. The best way to use some other types of inhalers is to place the inhaler mouthpiece directly into your child’s mouth and have your child close his lips snugly around it. Use the inhaler as your healthcare provider instructs.

Press the inhaler down once so it releases a spray of medicine while your child breathes in slowly and deeply. (One spray is often called a puff.) Have your child continue breathing in as slowly and deeply as possible.

Have your child hold his breath and count slowly to 10. If your child cannot hold his breath this long, have him hold it as long as is comfortable. This gives the medicine time to reach the lower airways.

Have your child breathe out slowly.

If your child needs to take more than one puff, wait one minute before taking the next dose. Shake the medicine again and repeat steps 3 through 8 for another puff. Take the number of puffs prescribed by your healthcare provider.

If your child is taking an inhaled steroid medicine, have him rinse his mouth with water after the last dose and spit the water out.

How do I clean the inhaler?

Wash the plastic case for the inhaler once a week with soapy tap water. Rinse well. Let the parts air dry.

Do not store your child’s inhaler in places that may get very hot or cold, like in a car.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.